SpamRATS is dedicated to helping ensure that all forms of mail servers can choose to only accept messages from other properly configured mail servers. "Best Practices" dictates that mail servers should have correct Reverse DNS that reflects the operator of the mail servers.

SpamRATS is a completely automated system available to the general public. We hope this service helps protect you against one of the most problematic types of resources draining your email systems.

The SpamRats DNSBL consist out of 4 independed list:

RATS-Dyna - RATS-Dyna is a collection of IP Addresses that have been found sending an abusive amount of connections or trying too many invalid users at ISP and Telco's mail servers. They are also known to conform to a naming convention that is indicative of a home connection or dynamic address space.

RATS-NoPtr - RATS-NoPtr is a collection of IP Addresses that have been found sending an abusive amount of connections or trying too many invalid users at ISP and Telco's mail servers. They are also known to have no reverse DNS, a technique often used by bots and spammers. Email servers should always have reverse DNS entries.

RATS-Spam - This is a list of IP Addresses that do not conform to more commonly known threats. This is usually because of compromised servers, hosts, or open relays. However, since there is little accompanying data this list could have false-positives, so we suggest that it only is used if you support a more aggressive stance.

RATS-Auth - RATS-AUTH is a collection of IP Addresses that have been detected as being the source of a trojan/bot attack specifically used to try and guess passwords, or similar technique by attempting to just 'authenticate' without really sending email. We suggest that it be used to protect your servers from these types of attacks, which can also contribute to large loads.

RATS is very simple and easy to use. You can access our public lists, just like any other RBL. Most mail servers support this functionality. We have also included references for several of the common mail servers. All you have to do is remember the correct hostnames to use for each list. Simple, and easy to use (copy from any instructions on using RBL)!

RATS-Dyna - Use "dyna.spamrats.com"

RATS-NoPtr - Use "noptr.spamrats.com"

RATS-Spam - Use "spam.spamrats.com"

RATS-Auth - Use "auth.spamrats.com"

They also utilize a combined list, eg: "all.spamrats.com", that includes all of the above.